Chess tournament to encourage UAE Government’s stay at home order

The Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Chess and Culture Club, has come out with a novel way to get the chess fraternity to adhere to the UAE government’s stay at home order to contain the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The online tournament played in the Swiss System of 11 rounds from April 8 to 15 has a prize fund of Dh39,000. It’s open for both Emirati and expatriates residing in the country. More details are available on www.chess.com.
The government is conducting a massive sterilisation campaign on the spread of the Covid-19 and Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of ADSC, said the online chess tournament was a novel idea to encourage hundreds of people occupied during their free time at home.
“Under the guidelines set by our Government concerning the Covid-19, the sports council in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Chess and Culture Club are very pleased to announce the Abu Dhabi Super Blitz Challenge,” he added.
“It is a novel online competition designed in line with our Government’s stay at home directives to maintain social distancing. Your health, safety and happiness is our top priority.
“This competition is open to everyone to participate in matches through laptops or smartphones after downloading the chess.com application available through Apple Store and Android.
“The winners will receive their cash prizes within three days after the end of the tournament.”
HE Hussain Abdullah Khoury, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chess and Culture Club is expecting to draw the cream of the both Emirati and expatriate chess players from around the country.
“We expect the tournament to attract all the leading players in the country and also encourage those who wish to give it a try to participate,” he said.